Brazilian courts have thus far sentenced 48 police officers for killing 65 inmates during a prison riot that took the lives of 111 inmates 21 years ago
In October 1992, a riot and revolt broke out in Sao Paulo's 10,000 inmate Carandiru prison. The riot started because of an argument that broke out between rival gangs during a soccer game. An elite unit of military police officers was called in to quell the revolt. They entered the prison with guns blazing. When the smoke cleared, 111 inmates were dead, some killed by fellow inmates, but most by the cops.
On Saturday, a Brazilian court sentenced 25 current and retired cops to 624 years each in the deaths of 52 inmates. In April, 23 cops were sentenced to 156 years each in the deaths of 13 inmates. However, 30 years is the maximum prison time Brazilian criminals can be made to serve for any conviction.
The convicted police officers remain free pending the outcome of appeals. Additional cops are awaiting trial for their part in the massacre.
In 2002, following several more riots, Carandiru prison was demolished.
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